Do You Hear What I Feel
You hold me in the palm of your hand like a bird,
but take heed, for I live in your poems, every word.
To you they're pages bound in glue, without a voice.
And yet, they speak of love to me, your veiled bride,
timidly asking, "Do you wish to change your mind?"
I wait for your answer, whispering, "This shall not be,"
holding my breath and hoping to make you see
that behind my smile, life is but a single word, "You..."
My flowers are withering; my eyes hold back tears,
while you hesitate to say, "Until death do we part."
You hover between truth and a lie as I meekly say,
"My heart knows it will always be you and I."
Here I stand, in a wedding dress, telling my story,
while your eyes search mine as I murmur our vows.
I know you can hear every solemn word I speak,
but I wonder... do you hear what I feel?
December 1, 2021
Inspired By A Translation Poem Contest
Sponsored by Malabika Ray Choudhury
Based on the translation by Henry A. Smith,
of 'The Poetess ' by German Poet, Gertrud Kolmar.
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